“Yes, if they are not unworthy.  I owe it to my people not to lay upon them the burden of my ransom.”

“Then I hope, with God’s help, to serve your majesty.”  He turned to the monk, and said, with a proud, commanding tone:  “Brother Anastasius, listen to my commands.  Go immediately to Messner, order him in my name to call all the brothers to high mass in the choir of the church; threaten him with my wrath and the severest punishment, if he dares to speak to one of the brethren.  I will prove my monks, and see if they recognize that obedience is the first duty in a cloister.”

“While Messner assembles the priests, shall the bell sound for mass?”

“Hasten, Brother Anastasius; in ten minutes we must be all in the church.”

“And you expect to save me by celebrating high mass?” said Frederick, shrugging his shoulders.

“Yes, sire, I expect it.  Will your majesty graciously accompany me to my dressing-room?”

CHAPTER XII

THE UNKNOWN ABBOT

The bell continued to sound, and its silver tones echoed in the lofty halls and corridors, through which the priests, in their superb vestments and holy orders, passed onward to the church.  Surprise and wonder were written upon every face; curious questions were burning upon every lip, restrained, however, by the strong habit of obedience.  The abbot had commanded that not one word should be exchanged between the brethren.  The abbot must be obeyed, though the monks might die of curiosity.  Silently they entered the church.  And now the bell ceased to toll, and the grand old organ filled the church with a rich stream of harmony.  Suddenly the notes were soft and touching, and the strong, full voices of men rose high above them.

While the organ swelled, and the church resounded with songs of prayer and praise, the Abbot Tobias Stusche entered the great door.  But this time he was not, as usual, alone.  Another abbot, in the richly-embroidered habiliments of a fete day, stood by his side.  No one had ever seen this abbot.  He was wholly unknown.

Every eye was turned upon him; every one was struck with the commanding and noble countenance, with the imposing brow and luminous eye, which cast searching and threatening glances in every direction.  All felt that something strange, unheard of, was passing in their midst.  They knew this stranger, glowing with youth, beauty, and majesty, was no common priest, no humble brother.

The command to strict silence had been given, and implicit obedience is the first duty of the cloister.  So they were silent, sang, and prayed; while Tobias Stusche, with the strange abbot, swept slowly and solemnly through the aisles up to the altar.  They both fell upon their knees and folded their hands in silent prayer.

Again the organ swelled, and the voices of the choristers rose up in adoration and praise; but every eye and every thought were fixed upon the strange abbot kneeling before the high altar, and wrestling with God in prayer.  And now the organ was silent, and the low prayers began.  The monks murmured mechanically the accustomed words; nothing was heard but sighs of penitence and trembling petitions, which seemed to fade and die away amongst the lofty pillars of the cathedral.